The photos are from a recent trip to Phoenix/Scottsdale. Unfortunately the circumstances were for a family emergency and while we had hoped for the best, my partner's mom passed away. I've always felt the best way to pay respects is to do the things you enjoy, on behalf of those who no longer can. And few things make me happier than taking photos, so here it is.

 

Can I just say again how much I love having direct access to the airport with the Red Line?

 

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't so cooperative during one of my favorite parts of the ride out to Hopkins:

 

About 4 hours later:

 

Sprrrrrrawl!

 

Camelback Mountain - one of Phoenix's redeeming qualities:

 

Sort of like Columbus in the desert:

 

Not a bad view from the rental car facility:

 

 

Up in Scottsdale - the taller buildings are residential, part of the Waterfront development:

 

The side of Camelback Mountain:

 

 

 

Off we go again, with downtown in the distance:

 

Industrial looking stuff in Tempe:

 

Even more built up than the last time I was here (a year ago):

 

Further down the road:

 

Yes folks, that's a brand-new light-rail line:

 

More shots of downtown on our way to Sky Harbor airport:

 

 

 

See ya next time, Camelback!

 

 

We don't have THAT in Cleveland:

 

Line of demarcation:

 

Hello housing crisis!

 

It's so mod!

 

I think I saw the pope (the forumer) while I took these:

 

 

 

Ann Arbor?  :wtf:

 

Detroit and Windsor, Canada:

 

 

Hmm, would a wind farm work on Lake Erie? Oh that's right, they already do!

 

Nice crib:

 

And finally, the plane took the route I've always wanted to see:

 

Well, downtown Lakewood and the Gold Coast are nice...

 

Now THAT is what I'm talking about! This one's for you, Donna - R.I.P.  :cry:

 

 

Lakewood again:

 

North Olmsted and the gloriously planned Great Northern area:  :roll:

 

*hork*

 

Elyria in the background:

 

Touchdown and a sight for sore eyes:

 

Welcome back, indeed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool aerials, particularly the one of downtown Cleveland

I was always amazed at the sprawl you see when flying into sky harbor. I went to Arizona State in 2004-2005 and its crazy how much more built up Tempe is now than it was just 4 short years ago.

Columbus in the desert...hehe.

Ann Arbor? 

 

Indeed.

 

Great shots!

Thank you much, I always love aerials.

 

Seems like a healthy way to deal with grief. My condolences to you and your partner :-(

I was just in Phoenix, et cetera for work - I found it to be absolutely disgusting and an abomination - I was very, very disappointed in it (not to mention its completely unsustainable because it's in the desert!).  I found almost no redeeming qualities (other than the nature nearby and the new light rail line). 

 

MayDay, thanks for the pictures - I really love the one of Downtown and following out Euclid to University Circle - that one's special - and I'm sorry for your loss.

I have to say, while there's NO way I'd ever live there - the areas of Scottsdale near Old Downtown and the Waterfront are pretty walkable - aside from the temps above 100. ;-) And the Biltmore and other resorts are absolutely breathtaking. I've always said that you can't take the preconceived notions that you have about cities and try to apply them to places like Phoenix and Vegas.

Nice aerials!

 

Sorry for your loss, my condolences to you, and your partner and family.

 

Now THAT is what I'm talking about!

 

I love that one. Cleveland's angled main arteries seem to spurt out like rays around the sun.

I have to say, while there's NO way I'd ever live there - the areas of Scottsdale near Old Downtown and the Waterfront are pretty walkable - aside from the temps above 100. ;-) And the Biltmore and other resorts are absolutely breathtaking. I've always said that you can't take the preconceived notions that you have about cities and try to apply them to places like Phoenix and Vegas.

 

Agreed about Scottsdale, which I differentiated from Phoenix (I probably should have clarified), but I don't do well in heat.... so yeah it was rough for me, which certainly could have affected my opinion :)

I was laughing at the locals who said "well at least it's finally cooling down". Meaning instead of 110, it was 102. And by 9pm at night, it was a pleasant 88 - well, as long as you weren't walking on asphalt. If you were, you could still feel the heat emanating from the parking lots having been baked all day.

Do you know what that area was with the circles?

Great set of aerials!  The Cleveland skyline shots almost look like a toy train set.

 

My condolences on your and your partner's loss.

 

Hi all,.

 

May I add my condolences as well to your partner and you.

 

Thanks again for the great pictures. specially of Cleveland. I was in Phoenix a couple of years ago, had a chance to meet up with a cousin I hadn't seen in over 20 years. Other than meeting her the best time was when the plane took off and headed back to Cleveland.  Warm nuzzles and bear hugs.

 

Jim S.

 

 

 

Do you know what that area was with the circles?

 

Specifically no, but those crop patterns are in abundance in western Kansas, the Oklahoma Panhandle and southeastern Colorado. Hit Google Maps for Copeland, Kansas - you'll think part of the Earth turned into a Vasarely painting.

Do you know what that area was with the circles?

 

Specifically no, but those crop patterns are in abundance in western Kansas, the Oklahoma Panhandle and southeastern Colorado. Hit Google Maps for Copeland, Kansas - you'll think part of the Earth turned into a Vasarely painting.

 

Great shots, esp the close up of the skyline.  I always hope for that approach on landing as well.

 

Those circular crop fields confused me too.  So I spent my past 5 minutes discovering that the design actually makes a lot of sense.....

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_pivot_irrigation

 

 

Nice shots.